Folding wheel chair



Jan. l2, 1954 FOLDING WHEEL CHAIR Filed Sept. 30. 1950 4 Shets-Sheet l D. l.. cosPER 2,665,743

J'an. 12, 1954 D. l.. cosPgR FOLDING WHEEL CHAIR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 30. 1950 INVENTOR.

562K@ b5/06f, BY l Mii/5 M Jan- 12, 1954 D. l.. cosPER FOL-DING WHEEL CHAIR 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 Filed Sept. 30. 1950 INVENTOR. cZ/ Q5/@e5 Jan. l2, 1954 D, L, COSPER 2,665,743

FOLDING WHEEL CHAIR Filed Sept. 30. 1950 A 4 Sheets-Sheet v4:

INVENTOR.

Hendel 605,066

Patented Jan. 12, 1954 vFOLDING WHEEL CHAIR `Dale L. Cosper, -South Bend, Ind.,..assignor to Versal Inc., .South Bend, Indwa corporationof Indiana Application september so, 195o, serieuse-187,814

(ol. 155-30) p This invention relates to a newand improved folding wheel chair and more particularly to a chair of this typewhich may be easily folded into a comparatively small space. Wheell chairs-are at presentinwide usebypersons, Who, while theycannotor should not walk, are nevertheless, V.wellenougli to be lcapable of getting around toa considerable extent. This causes a demand `forwheel chairs which `are capable of being transported irry automobiles;` and suchchairs must `be capable-of being folded quite compactly. rIhere are also :many personswho p have lost the use of their flegslbut `are strong above thewaist so `that they are capable of handling themselvesV to avery considerable extent. For use by such persons it is important that la folding chair `be provided with folding `mechanism which is simple in operationland .is substantially foolproof. .The chair should also :'be of'aslight a Weight as is compatible withithe necessary rigidity and strength.

It is an object of the present invention toprovide a new and improved collapsible-wheel chair.

It is `a `further object to provide a chair -of` this type which is light in weight and capable of folding so as Ato reduceitswidth to a minimum.

It is another object to provide a Ifolding `wheel chair which is provided witha rigid rone `piece seat.

It is an additional object torprovide a wheel chair `having rigid cross bracingsupportingthe seat and maintaining the side frames and wheels positively in spaced position when the chair. is in Yposition for use.

lt is also an objectto provide `a chairo this character in which. the seat supportand bracing mechanism l support the `seat -on both sides .of its center while being secured to the seat on `one side only of the center.

It is another object to providefa `foldingwheel chair which` is simple in design `andiconstruction and adapted for commercial production .anduse `Otherand further objects willappear .as the description proceeds.

Ithave shown certain preferred embodiments of my invention in the accompanying drawings in `wlr ii.cl1-

Figure `l is a perspectivervew of one form of chair, in posi-tionfor use;

Figure 2 is a perspective view `of the chair of Figure 1 in.V its folded position;

Figure?, is va perspective view `of the chair of Figure l as seen fromthe front and below,show ing the seat `support construction;

Figure 4 is affragmentarysection showing the foot l support .cconstructiom Figure=5is afragmentary view/,partly in section taken on line5-5 of 'Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspectiveview of a Vmodiied form ofv chair;

Figure 7 isfa side elevation of thc frame of the chair of l Figure 7,

Figure 8- is a perspective view of the chair of Figure 6,with the seat member removed, looking downwardly -onthe chair from in front of it, and

Figure@ is anexploded view showing the means connecting the seat support members to the chair frame.

Referring first `to the form of construction shown inFigures 1 to 5 inclusive, the wheel chair comprises-a 'pair of similar, but oppositelyffacing `side frames which'comprisehorizontal top and'bottom' members II and IZ with connecting generally vertical front and rear members I5 and I6. In the formfshown, the front members It are tubular-andare formed as a'unit with the top` members II. The bottom :member I2 is of U-shaped section and has a'circular opening `in its forward end through'rwhich the lower end ofthe/member I5A passes. This lowerend of member I5 fissecured'to the member I2 where it passesthroughsaid` `member and the lower end of therear member I6 isalso secured in the bottom member I2. fThe'rear end of the top member rII is secured to an intermediate portion of the rearfmember IIB.

The large wheels I8 are supported on hubs 2Q which extend `outwardly from the member I5 ata point-intermediate the top member II bottoml member- I2. The small caster wheels 22 extend downwardly from the forward portion of the bottom members I2 in the rear of the lower ends kof `the front` members I5. AThe large wheels I8 Hare-provided with the usual, circular rail 24 by means of which the occupant of the chair maypropel` the chair.

The seat support members 2S, 2l, 28 and as best-shown .in .detail 4in Figure 9, are pivotally supportedfon horizontalirods I4 extending between the front members I5 and rear members I6. These pivot rods I4 are not shown in the assemblylguresof the drawings, as they are covered by the lower ilanges 3| of the side guard members 32 t but the construction is shown in the explodedrview-Figure 9. Theends of the rods I4 t into openings `in4 .the front and rear members t5 and I6 asindicated .in broken lines at II on'vFigure 9,@and the ends `of the seat sup port` members as.26,are provided with openings 3B to receive'rods I4. Thefseat support membersfil'to 28 inclusive are pivctallyv connected along the centerline offthe seat `33 bya` pivot pin 35. The seat 33 is a unitary rigid member' whicnmay be provided-With `any rdesired type 3 of cushion on its upper surface. Its substantially rigid body may be made of plywood or a sheet of metal or other suitable material.

As seen in Figure 3, the seat 33 is secured to seat support members 26 and 21 by bolts or screws 31 passing through those members. The seat 33 is not secured to the seat support members Y26 and 33, but merely rests on those members when the seat is in position for use as shown in Figure 3, The brace members 39 and 46 are pivotally connected at 4| and 42 to the upper face of the right bottom member I2 as seen in Figure 3. The upper ends of the brace members 33 and 40 are pivotally connected by pin 44 to the outer end of a link member 46. The inner end of the link member 46 is pivotally connected to the pivot pin 35 at a point intermediate the seat support members. The brace members is and 5i! are similar to members 39 and 46 and are pivotally connected at 5| and 52 to the upper face of the left bottom frame member I2 as shown in Figure 3. The upper ends of brace members 49 and 5D are pivotallv connected by pin 54 to the free end of a link 56. The inner end of link 56 is pivotally supported on the pivot pin 35 opposite the link 46. The brace members 35i, 4l! and 43, 53 ere pivotally connected together at an intermediate point below the pivot pin 35 by a connecting pin as clearly shown in Figure 3.

It is to be noted that the links 46 and 56 are not in any way secured to the seat 33. These links are merely pivotally connected to pivot pin 35 and to the upper ends of the brace members.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, it will be noted that the front member I5 is tubular and has an open end and exposed below the brace member I2. A foot rest support member 62 has a vertical arm extending upwardly into the opening in the tubuler member I5 and a horizontal extending portion 64 which supports the foot rest 56. The upwardly extending portion of the member 62 is provided with a plurality of perforations 63 which extend from front to rear of the member. The bolt 69 extends through one such perforation to retain the foot rest support member in position. This bolt 6s passes through a portion of member I2 and through the lower end of member I5 and is retained in place by the nuts 13. Bv means of the plurality of openings 6B the elevation of the foot rest 66 relftive to the seat of the chair may be varied. The foot rest 66 is pivotally supported on portion 64 of member 62 so that it may be swung to the vertical position, as shown in Figure 3 or to the horizontal position as shown in Figures 4 and 5. A stop pin 12 extends through an arcuate slot 14 formed in the foot rest member 65. The pin 12 engaging the end of the slot 14 limits movement of the foot rest 65 end also supports the foot rest in its lower horizontal position as shown in Figure 5.

The chair of Figures 1 to 5 is shown in its folding position in Figure 2. The back rest 1B as shown is merely a piece of flexible material such as canvas with its ends looped around its side members i6. Conseouently, this back rest merely folds outwardly as shown in Figure 2. The seat 33 which is substantially rigid is swung upwardly about the pivots of the seat support members 26 and 21. The seat 33 being secured to these members 26 and 21 moves upwardly with them. It is free from support members 28 and 29 which also swing upwardly, all of the support members being guided by their pivotal connection on pivot in 35. p As the seat is swung upwardly by grasping its free end, this draws the side frames together. The ends of links 46 and 56 are drawn upwardly by pivot pin 35 moving the pivotal connections 4.4 and 54 at the upper ends of the brace members inwardly. These members pivot about the pin 60 and draw the lower members I2 of the side frames inwardly. It will be apparent that folding of the chair is accomplished simply and easily by swinging the free left end of the seat 33 upwardly as seen in Figure 2. rIhe chair may be restored to position for use either by pulling the frame members apart or by pressing downwardly on the' upper free edge of the seat 33. By using the two hands and combining these movements the chair may be very quickly and easily moved to folded or collapsed position or from that position to position for use.

The form of construction shown in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive is generally similar to that in Figures l to 5, but has certain differences of construction. The side frames comprise top and bottom members 8| and 82 connecting front and rear members 84 and 85. The chair is provided with a flexible back 86 and a substantially rigid seat 88. The large wheels 39 are supported on hubs 93 extending from the rear members 35. The front smaller wheels 92 are pivotally secured tothe bottom members 82. In this form of construction the bottom members 32 are shown as continuations of the rear members 35. Also the foot rest support portions 34 are continuations of the front members 84 which continuations extend substantially horizontally to support the foot rests 95. These foot rests may be secured to support portions 34 in the manner shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The under frame construction is best shown in Figure 8, The seat support members |63 have their ends pivotally supported in the front members 84 and the rear members 35. These support members 133 are U-shaped with longer horizontal legs |32 to which legs are secured the seat support members |63 and |34, |06 and |61. The seat support members are shown as connected to flanges |62 by means of bolts |03. It will be understood that they may be secured to these members by any suitable means such as rivets or by welding as desired.

The inner ends of seat support members |33 and |01 are connected by pivot pin III and the meeting ends of seat support members |64 and |06 are similarly connected by similar pivot pin I I2. The diagonal brace member i I4 is pivotally connected at its lower end to the left bottom member 82 and its upper end is pivotrlly connected at 6 to the seat support member |64. The oppositely inclined brace member IIS is pivotally connected at I9 to the right bottom member 82 and its upper end is pivotally connected to the seat support member |66. Similarly the brace member |2| has its lower end pivotally connected to the left bottom member 62 and its upper end pivotally connected at |22 to the seat support member |33. The diagonal support member |24 is similar to the diagonal support ||8 and has its lower end connected to the bottom member 32, while its front end is connected to the seat support member |31.

It will be understood that the rigid seat member 83, which is not shown in Figure 8, is connected only to the seat support members |33 and |04 and rests freely on seat members |66 and |01. Consequently, the chair of the construction shown in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive may be moved to the collapsed or closed position in the same manner as the construction shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive.

While I have shown certain preferred embodiments of my invention these are to be understood to be illustrative only, the construction may be modied to meet varying conditions and requirements and I contemplate such variations as come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a wheel chair, a pair of side frames, wheels connected to the side frames, a seat, seat support members pivotally connected to each of the side frames, said members being pivotally connected to each other adjacent the center line of the chair, the pivotal connection of the seat support members comprising a pivot pin extending along the center line of the chair, brace members pivotally connected to lower portions of the side frames and extending diagonally upward below the seat, and link members connecting the upper ends of the brace members to the pivot pin.

2. In a wheel chair, a pair of side frames. wheels connected to the side frames, a seat, seat support members pivotally connected to each of the side frames, said members being pivotally connected to each other adjacent the center line of the chair, the pivotal connection of the seat support members comprising a pivot pin extending along the center line of the chair, brace members pivotally connected to lower portions of the side frames and extending diagonally upward below the seat, and link members connecting the upper ends of the brace members to the pivot pin, said link members extending laterally from the pivot pin and bearing against the under side of the seat.

3. In a wheel chair, a pair of side frames, wheels connected to the side frames, a seat, seat support members pivotally connected to each of the side frames, said members being pivotally connected to each other adjacent the center line of the chair, the pivotal connection of the seat support members comprising a pivot pin extending along the center line of the chair, brace members pivotally connected to lower portions of the side frames and extending diagonally upward below the seat, and link members connecting the upper ends of the brace members to the pivot pin, said link members extending laterally from the pivot pin and bearing against the under side of the seat, each brace member being pivotally connected to the free end of a link on the opposite side of the center pivot pin from the side frame to which said brace member is connected.

4. In a wheel chair, a pair of side frames, wheels connected to the side frames, a seat, seat support members pivotally connected to each of the side frames, said members being pivotally connected to each other adjacent the center line of the chair, the pivotal connection of the seat support members comprising a pivot pin extending along the center line of the chair, brace members pivotally connected to lower portions of the side frames and extending diagonally upward below the seat, and link members connecting the upper ends of the brace members to the pivot pin, said link members extending laterally from the pivot pin and bearing against the under side of the seat, each brace member being pivotally connected to the free end of a link on the opposite side of the center pivot pin from the side frame to which said brace member is connected, the brace members extending in pairs from opposite side frames each pair being pivotally connected to each other at a point below the center pivot pin.

5. In a wheel chair, a pair of side frames, wheels connected to the side frames, a seat, seat support members pivotally connected to each of the side frames, said members being pivotally connected to each other adjacent the center line of the chair, the pivotal connection of the seat support members comprising a pivot pin extending along the center line of the chair, brace members pivotally connected to lower portions of the side frames and extending diagonally upward below the seat, and link members connecting the upper ends of the brace members to the pivot pin, the seat member being xedly secured to the seat support members on one side of the pivot pin and resting on the support members on the other side of the pivot pin when the chair is positioned for use.

6. In a wheel chair, a pair of side frames. wheels connected to the side frames, a seat, seat support members pivotally connected to each of the side frames, said members being pivotally connected to each other adjacent the center line of the chair, the pivotal connection of the seat support members comprising a pivot pin extending along the center line of the chair, brace members pivotally connected to lower portions oi' the side frames and extending diagonally upward below the seat, and link members connecting the upper ends of the brace members to the pivot pin. said link members extending laterally from the pivot pin and bearing against the under side of the seat, the seat member being a unitary, substantially rigid member secured to the seat support members on one side of the pivot pin and resting on the support members on the other side of the pivot pin and on the link members when the chair is positioned for use.

7. In a wheel chair, a pair of side frames, each frame comprising generally vertical front and rear members and generally horizontal top and bottom members connecting the front and rear members, front wheels connected to the bottom member, rear wheels connected to the rear member, a seat, seat support members pivotally connected to the front and rear members at points between the top and bottom members, said seat support members being pivotally connected to each other by a pivot pin at the center of the seat, diagonal brace members having their lower ends connected to the frame bottom members, and links below the seat connecting the upper ends of the brace members to the pivot pin.

DALE L. COSPER.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 315,779 Haynes Apr. 13, 1885 606,691 Springer July 5, 1898 1,381,136 Ribeiro June 14, 1921 1,898,448 Hultgren Feb. 21, 1933 2,379,566 Duke Ju1y 3, 1945 2,402,085 Rideout June 11, 1946 2,460,459 Kraska Feb. 1, 1949 2,485,016 Rideout Oct. 18, 1949 2,522,729 Travis Sept. 19, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Niunber Country Date 177,913 Switzerland Sept. 2, 1935 494,282 Great Britain Oct. 24, 1938 

